Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM)

Location: 5030 "old" Pearl Street, Boulder
Phone Number:  303-444-6634
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9am - 4pm

What is accepted?
The Charm recycles computers, televisions, VCR's, fax machines, cell phones, copiers, #2 & #4 plastic bags, inkjet & laser jet toner printer cartridges, athletic shoes, hard-back books and computer-type manuals.

Is there a fee?
There is a fee for recycling most electronic items, though cell phones, keyboards and mice are free. These funds are used to offset the cost of collection, storage and marketing of the materials. In most cases, items must be disassembled before they can be recycled, a labor intensive process that often requires handling toxic substances.

Prices:

  • Computer Monitors: $10
  • Computer Towers/CPUs: $8
  • Computer Printers/Scanners: $8
  • Keyboards, Mice, Cables: NO CHARGE
  • TV's 19" or smaller: $10
  • Mid-size TV's: $15
  • Consoles & Big Screen TV's: $30
  • VCR's: $8
  • Cell Phones: NO CHARGE
  • Fax Machines: $8
  • Desktop Copiers: $8
  • Large Copiers: 26 cents per pound
  • Books & Manuals: NO CHARGE*
  • #2 & #4 Plastic Bags: NO CHARGE
  • Printer Cartridges: NO CHARGE
  • Athletic Shoes: NO CHARGE

*Call for prices on large quantities from businesses.

Why is it important to keep electronics out of the landfill?
Televisions and computers each contain 3-8 pounds of lead, and like most electronics, can contain a host of other toxic substances such as cadmium, mercury and arsenic. These toxic substances could contaminate groundwater when landfilled.

What happens to my "hard-to-recycle" items?
Books: The spine is sheared off and the paper is recycled.
Electronic Equipment: Working computers that are Pentium II grade and above are donated to the Jared Polis Foundation. Their C3 program helps bring computers to the underserved communities of Colorado by refurbishing donated computers and connective them with potential community group recipients. Obsolete electronics go to certified demanufacturing facilities in the USA where they are disassembled and recycled.
Plastic Bags: The #2 & #4 plastic bags are being processed and marketed to companies that product the leading alternative to wood decks by using recycled plastic bags, stretch wrap from businesses, and wood waste such as wood chips, shavings and sawdust.
Printer Cartridges: Inkjet and laser printer cartridges are sent to a company that is able to refurbish and refill most brands. Those that are not reusable are recycled when possible.
Cell Phones: Cell phones are either refurbished and reused or dismantled into their constituent parts and recycled.
Athletic Shoes: Worn-out athletic shoes are ground up to make a material used to resurface athletic fields, courts and playgrounds.

 

© 2000 Boulder Hauling, Inc.